UPDATE: Niagara Falls has established an overnight emergency shelter at The Salvation Army (5720 Dorchester Rd.) for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, available from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. to those who need to escape the cold.

ORIGINAL: Due to exceptionally cold temperatures, the city of Niagara Falls is encouraging residents to exercise extra caution and to stay warm, reminding those in need that open city facilities are available to the public in cold weather situations.

The following sites are available, during hours of operation, to anybody who needs a place to keep warm and escape the dangerously frigid temperatures:

The Gale Centre (5152 Thorold Stone Rd.) is open daily from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.

The MacBain Community Centre (7150 Montrose Rd.) is open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Niagara Falls City Hall (4310 Queen Street) is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Any branch of the Niagara Falls Public Library can also be used as a public shelter from the cold in extreme conditions. Library hours are available at, my.nflibrary.ca/LocationsAndHours.

Overnight emergency shelters are also operated by the Out of the Cold Program. Those in need can call 211 for shelter locations and availability and compensation will be provided for any transportation costs to the shelter.

In Niagara Falls, the Salvation Army also operates the Niagara Mobile Outreach Truck. Those in need can also call 211 for availability and locations.

These emergency shelters are operated by the Out of the Cold Program.

Additional emergency shelter may be available at Women’s Place (women and children only) or Night Youth Shelter (youth only).

The city of Niagara Falls is encouraging residents to check in on family, friends and neighbours during the extreme cold, especially those who may be vulnerable to cold-weather related illnesses.

You can find out more about the health risks associated with exceptionally cold temperatures from the Niagara Region here.